August 7th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Do not write off Austin Barnes, at least not just yet. Reports of his demise as a Dodger may have been greatly exaggerated.
Optioned by the team on July 25 to work on his hitting at Triple-A Oklahoma City (OKC), the 29-year-old Fullerton, CA native and Marlins ninth-round draft pick in 2011 out of Arizona State University started slowly with only only one hit (a single) in his first 14 at-bats while striking out four times. However, since that time (4 games), he is hitting .444 with four home runs, five runs scored, ten runs batted in, two walks, and two strikeouts.
(Photo credit – Steve Sisney)
Small sample size? Absolutely. Cause for optimism? Guardedly.
OKC is in the Pacific Coast League (now there is an oxymoron), so an objective argument can be put forth that Barnes’ stats are inflated by playing in hitter-friendly ballparks, influenced by prevailing winds, high temperatures, and in some cases high elevations. But, in his minor league career, over 2,300 plate appearances, he has slashed .300 / .388 / .443 / .831 with more walks than strikeouts.
Barnes’ stats in his first full season with the Dodgers, 2017, were .289 / .408 / .486 / .895 in 262 plate appearances, with a walk rate of 15%, and a 16% strikeout rate. In 2018 his strikeout rate ballooned to 28%, and this season his walk rate has declined to 9%.
Have pitchers found a hole in Barnes swing? In his effort to increase exit velocity and/or launch angle, has Barnes altered his mechanics? Could it be as simple as failing to see the bat-to-the-ball? Only the Dodgers and Barnes know for certain.
“It’s great. It’s great to see Austin playing well, playing the way he is,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Every player wants to be in the big leagues, but I think that there’s a lot of power in just going out there and playing every day and not worrying what the scoreboard has for your average and all that kind of stuff, and expectations up here.
“So it’s good to see Austin just take this opportunity – which it is an opportunity – to get right,” Roberts added. “And he knows how much we value him as a player, as a person, as one of the leaders on this ballclub. So it’s just important and all the credit goes to him for taking this opportunity.”
Barring injury to either Will Smith or Russell Martin, do not expect Barnes back on the active roster before September.
…but don’t write him off just yet either.
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Posted in 
He’s doing great in OKC – but he’s gotta do in the bigs!
Funny, I was thinking the same thing.
This is like when you really like the new girl you just met, but you run into your old girl at the pa… https://t.co/8EYazK6J8C
Too late.
Who?
Funny. Sad, but funny.
I already wrote Barnes off the moment Will Smith came up that second time. I honestly don’t want to see him behind the plate anymore if by some miracle he does end up finding his way back to the parent club next month. I also noticed down there that he still doesn’t handle a pitching staff well at all and that’s been leading to a lot of big innings for OKC lately as a result. Time for him to go back to his old stomping grounds at 2B if he wants to save whatever’s left of his MLB window at this point…
Apparently Smith has been given deity status in the handful of games he’s played. And I mean handful. It would be nice to have two young catchers who can produce. Martin is soon to retire, so let’s hope Barnes gets better and backs up Smith, since Smith has earned the right to start. I hope Smith becomes one of the best in the league, but it’s still too early to tell. It’s also amazing how some of you think AAA is so easy. It’s not MLB, but it’s got the next generation of MLB’ers playing there. I’m happy AB is hitting and I hope he continues his current trend. Regardless, I’m rooting for ALL of our minor leaguers to play well. It makes our team strong.
Well said! 2 more hits for Barnes last night, including his fifth consecutive game with home run, same as Will Smith earlier this season.
Jesse, my guess would be that Martin does not return next year and if they decide Barnes can be the back up to Will Smith , fine but I also get the feeling he might be dealt this coming off season. As many would say…..WSS
I agree with both of your points 1 Barnes could be back up catcher and remember he plays some infield as well, or he will be traded but I think the backup idea is more likely.
I think Barnes will pocket $15-$20 million over the next 10 years as a very good MLB #2 catcher.
10 years may be a reach considering that he will turn 30 this December. But yes, he will make a nice living as a backup catcher — probably for several teams in his career. If he can manage to hit .250 / .350 / .400 while maintaining excellent pitch framing stats he will make much more.
Would rather see Barnes Maeda
Rios and K Ruiz in Pittsburgh next yr with Vasquez in dodger blue